What
Is A Spa?
Historical
Background & Modern Influences
Guest
Article by Fiona Thornton & Dr. Hans Brutscher
Managers of the Health Spa at
Kimi
Ora Health Spa Resort
in Kaiteriteri,
New Zealand
Isn't a "spa" a spa pool? - a hot tub that you sin and relax in with different kinds of jets to massage your body? Well actually - no. a spa pool may be used in what is called a SPA, but the spa itself is something different altogether, as you will see in the following article...
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The word and concept of SPA actually originates from the time of the Roman Empire when battle weary legionnaires tried to find a way to recover from their military wounds and ailments. They sought out hot wells and then built baths so that they could heal their aching bodies; calling these places 'aquae' and naming the bathing treatments undertaken there "Sanus Per Aquam" [S P A] - meaning health by or through water. During this period, the town Spa in Belgium was founded for this purpose, rising to fame in the 14th century and still existing today.
Having originated from this time, the culture of Spa developed in different ways throughout Europe, from the ongoing use of mineral water, through to using sea water and marine substances (Thalassotherapy) and a wide range of body and other therapies. Yet even today, the concept of health or healing forms the basis of the spa culture worldwide and hydrotherapy is seen as its defining feature.
To explain a little more about spas, we can look towards the German tradition of spa, where Dr. Hans Brutscher, who runs the The Health Spa at Kimi Ora, has had his experience. Trained in Germany as a Medical Doctor [G.P.], Dr. Brutcher had, prior to attaining his medical degree, trained and worked in Germany as a Physiotherapist. Following his medical training, he further studied as a Spa Doctor - which is a specialised post-medical qualification that incorporates the study of climatology, balneology and also natural therapies. This training promotes the use of these natural therapies before resorting to using medical drugs. He has worked in both Germany and New Zealand in this capacity.
This specific Spa Doctor discipline has arisen from the centuries-old German tradition of Spa and the 20th century establishment of what is known as the German Cure System. This system provides a third leg to the National Health System, that of preventative health care - alongside doctors in general practise and the hospital system. The Cure System [or "The Kur" in German] is based on the widespread acceptance & use of natural therapies and spa therapies and the scientific research that has proven the efficacy of these treatments/cures. This system is used by doctors when their means to treat an individual is exhausted and/or a hospital stay is not yet required for them.
The procedure for the Cure involves a doctor sending an individual with an ailment to a location where the climate will be beneficial to their overall condition [as different climates and altitudes have been shown to positively affect an individual's health - sun intensity, air pressure, radical changes in temperature all provide a measurable external/internal stimulus]. These locations, usually in alpine, sea or middle range climatic areas, are know as Spa Villages and are made up of spa resorts [and a range of other spa accommodation places], spa departments, spa doctors and the various therapists attached to these departments. In Germany, there are nearly 300 of these beautifully located spa villages and resorts scattered nationwide. Stringent government standards & conditions mean that all are of high quality and the village infrastructure is also of a high standard.
A "cure-stay" person will spend 2-4 weeks in the appropriate spa/climate, where their assessment and daily treatment schedule is established and monitored by a Spa Doctor. The treatments that may be used encompass massages, the full range of physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, hot packs [e.g. herbal, peat, clay/loam], oxygen and inhalation therapy and the extensive use of thermal and mineral water. These treatments have been found to be very successful in creating long-lasting regulation of body functions strengthening all organs and the immune system and stimulating mental, physical and spiritual relaxation.
So a cure-stay involves a person going to a spa village for its climate, staying for 2-4 weeks in a beautiful, efficiently run resort, taking daily treatments [for up to 2 hours] and enjoying considerable leisure time. All of these combining and working to bring them long-term physical, mental, spiritual and emotional equilibrium. The effect of this, both individually and for German society as a whole, has proven to be quite significant, as shown by the following information and statistics gleaned from long-term studies of patients after a cure:
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The amount of sick days dropped by 60% - which has meant an increase in productivity, and less sick leave payments.
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Drug consumption decreased by 2/3 meaning less side effects and less health costs.
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Every dollar spent in a cure can save up to 3 dollars in subsequent costs caused by the illness.
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Early retirement can be avoided by maintaining the ability to work and the fitness for work.
These results have been so impressive that health insurance companies for the last 40 years have been paying for the "Kur". Over this period nearly 9 million Germans enjoyed the benefits every year. However, today the numbers are less due to government cut backs in the health sector and health insurance companies requiring an increased share of the costs.
Therefore, we can see that a Spa in Germany means a spa village that has spa doctors, spa departments and associated spa accommodation places, where people go for a "cure-stay", and get treatments prescribed by a specially trained spa doctor.
This is a specific German and historical use of the term Spa. As mentioned above, in other European countries, there has also been a long tradition of Spa, where people have gone to places for healing and regeneration and continue to do so.
However, outside this traditional context of Spa, there is nowadays a new breed of spa, usually located in an attractive region, where people go for health and wellness reasons [as in "Retreat Spas" - which also usually incorporate lifestyle programmes alongside spa treatments and therapies] and also and probably more predominantly, for relaxation and pampering [as in "Resort Spas" where the focus is also on recreation and fun as well as revitalisation. There are also slightly different urban "Day Spas", which are an inner city "sanctum" offering spa services, whilst having a strong beauty and hairdressing focus.]
The increased pace of life and concurrent stresses experienced by vast numbers of people worldwide have generated both a need and a desire for effective relaxation to counter these daily pressures. With less time available for rest and regeneration, people are seeking places to revive themselves, to gain relief from overindulgence and overwork. Places where they can even achieve some kind of personal metamorphosis. With the aim of most spas being to treat mind, body and soul, individuals can find that they are able to experience a form of mental and spiritual harmony during their spa stay that they can take back with them into their daily lives.
The treatments offered at these places can range from wet treatments [wet table with Vichy shower and/or hydrotherapy] to dry treatments [e.g. massage, body wraps], to wellness therapies [such as oxygen inhalation and health assessments] and beauty treatments. There is also usually a sauna, steam room and spa pool available for use. Although hydrotherapy is still regarded as an important treatment [a spa is not really a spa without it], these new spas no longer need to use or be near mineral water, as they did in Roman times.
So now, with a modern twist, spas still bring about renewal and well-being, as well as allowing you to relax, reflect, revitalise, and rejoice. May you do so with us at Kimi Ora Health Spa.
"Mens
sana in Corpore sana"
"A healthy Spirit lives in a Healthy Body"
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